Festivals

Advanced Cinema Production students may want to submit their films to festivals.

A great resource for finding relevant film festivals is . In general, most festivals require that you use Film Freeway to submit so creating an account is a good first step.

It's encouraged to attend these festivals to support the local scene and get inspiration from fellow creators! Many festivals also have a great volunteer program that allows for you to see the films for free and get inside experience. You can see more about volunteering for the Boulder International Film Festival

Colorado Based Film Festivals

is an Oscar®-qualifying film festival recognized as one of the premier short film festivals in North America.

Regular Deadline:November 13, 2026

Festival Date:April 6 – 10, 2027

Has a Student Shorts Award

has gained a reputation as one of the most influential and innovative film festivals in the U.S., and features work from new, emerging, and A-list filmmakers and 25,000 attendees.

Regular Deadline:October 2, 2026

Festival Date:April 8 - April 11, 2027

Has a Student film category

is one of the oldest festivals in the country, originating in 1981. Film-lovers gather for unprecedented access to independent films, special screenings and premieres exclusive to Breckenridge - and the film-makers behind them!

Regular Deadline:April 13, 2026

Festival Date:September 17–20, 2026

Has Student pricing discounts

Regular Deadline:September 18, 2026

Festival Date:February 19 – 28, 2027

Has Student pricing discounts

which is the largest of its kind in the region, will celebrate its 46th edition in 2023. This intense and concentrated exposition showcases more than 250 new films from around the world with over 175 international filmmakers, directors, actors and other film artists participating in the twelve-day event. The majority of these films would never be seen or discovered in the Rocky Mountain region outside the venue of the film festival.

Regular Deadline:May 4, 2026

Festival Date: October 22 to November 1, 2026

Has Student category and awards

is an early spring destination festival cultivating a reputation as a filmmaker’s festival.

Regular Deadline:September 1, 2026

Festival Date: March 3 to March 7, 2027

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Ìýin Fort Collins, March/April
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in Telluride, May
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in Denver, TBA
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Ìýin Longmont, Oct.
,ÌýColorado Springs, Oct.
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, Nov./Dec

The is an intimate festival for filmmakers and audiences alike, this four-day event is nestled in the San Juan mountains, giving Ouray its nickname the “Little Switzerland of America.â€

Regular Deadline:Open now on FilmFreeway for the 2027 event

Festival Date: June 2027